DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Butler (Quarterfinals)
No. 18/18 DePaul Tops Butler, Advances to Semifinals of BIG EAST Tournament
3/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - Top-seeded DePaul looked every bit the BIG EAST Conference Regular Season Champion as it rolled past Butler 76-49 in the Quarterfinals of the BIG EAST Tournament on Sunday at McGrath-Phillips Arena.
Megan Podkowa led No. 18/18 DePaul (25-7) with 14 points. The senior also added six rebounds and three steals. Jessica January recorded 10 points and added six assists and six rebounds.
Jacqui Grant (9), Brooke Schulte (9), Mart'e Grays (9) and Chanise Jenkins (8) all recorded at least eight points and 11 different Blue Demons scored in the win.
Grant paced DePaul on the glass and tied a season-high with nine rebounds. The Blue Demons boasted a 48-43 rebounding advantage including a 20-11 on the offensive glass.
DePaul has won nine straight games dating back to Jan. 31 while Sunday's win was the Blue Demons' seventh straight BIG EAST tournament victory. DePaul's current tournament winning streak dates back to 2014.
DePaul's first four baskets were all 3-pointers. Schulte got the game started before January, Jenkins and Grays all joined the 3-point rain shower. With 6:26 to play in the first, DePaul led 12-2. Butler got within nine (20-11), on a triple from Sydney Buck, but that was as close as the Bulldogs would get the rest of the way.
DePaul started the second quarter on an 11-2 run and pushed its advantage to 34-13 on a pair of Podkowa free throws with 2:33 to play in the half.
The Blue Demons went to the locker room up 39-19 behind 11 points from Podkowa while Jenkins and January combined for seven of DePaul's nine first-half assists.
Butler used a mini 9-3 run to get within 15 points (50-35) with 1:47 to play in the third, but a layup-by Jenkins and a 3-pointer by Podkowa put the Blue Demons back up 20 heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
Butler (10-21) was paced by Tori Schickel's 14 points and 13 rebounds.
DePaul returns to action at 5:30 p.m. on Monday against the winner of the St. John's/Georgetown game. Monday's game will be broadcast on FS1.
Notes: DePaul extends its season-long winning streak to nine games... won seven straight BIG EAST Tournament games which dates back to the 2014 season... prior to the game, Chanise Jenkins, Megan Podkowa, Jessica January and Doug Bruno were all honored by the BIG EAST for their respective postseason awards... DePaul scored 26 points off of 18 Butler turnovers... DePaul improves to 11-0 all-time against Butler.
